Key identification and filing means



-April 12, 1960 s. R. MANZARDO 2,932,107

KEY IDENTIFICATION AND FILING MEANS Filed Feb. 25, 1957 lffOf/VEV nit-ed States Patent 2,932,101 KEY IDENTIFICATION AND FILING MEANS Scipione Roger Manzardo, Lucerne, Switzerland Application February 25, 1957, Serial No. 642,232 Claims priority, application Switzerland May 10, 1956 9 Claims. c1. 40-330 This invention relates to a key identification and receiving means to be applied to'the handle of a key or similar object. In 'order easily to distinguishseveral keys from each other which are kept on a ring, in a case, on a key rack or otherwise, the keys heretofore have been provided with tags which are movably connected to the key handle by means of a hook, a chain or other intermediate piece. These known identification means suffer from the disadvantage that they are often larger than the respective keys themselves, that they are liable to interfere'with each other or other objects and can then not vbe easily separated, and that on racks with several rows of' keys, they often hang down over the next underlying row, covering those keys or preventing their separation or attachment. For keys which are to be carried in pocket cases the known'tags are of course entirely unsuitable. I

With the identification means according to'the present invention all aforementioned shortcomings are obviated.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a cover for a key which will facilitate its identification in an assembly and the insertion and removal of the key therefrom, by means of projections extending from the rim of the cover and integral therewith.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a .cover of amaterial with properties of resilience permitting keys with various handle sizes to be easily fitted with the :same size cap, for instance, by a snap-on action, by stretching the cover over the handle of; the key.

Still another object of the invention is means for identt'ification of each key by including in the cover above described an outer pocket parallel to the rim of the cover for insertion of visual identification, or key indexing means- Yet another object of'the invention is'to provide the covers above described in a plurality of colors also for reference purposes.

Another object of the invention is a method of providing a plurality of keys in an assembly with a kit of covers, each having a rim projection parallel with the axis of the key, equipped with means for attaching it into an assembly provided with cooperating means, and each cover having a rim projection or projections spaced radially differently from those of the other covers for reference purposes, in order to provide variably headed keys.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is the face view of a form of the invention showing a key receiving means with an identification tag frame;

Fig. 2 shows a section on the line VI-VI of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows the cap according to Fig. 1, arranged on the handle of a key;

Fig. 4 shows a section similar to that of Fig. 2, on a larger scale with a designation ticket and protective cover applied to the cap;

Fig. 5 shows a key receiving means similar to those of Fig. 1 with a key identification projection.

. 2 V Fig. 6 represents a designation plate and its protective cover of transparent material.

The key receiving and identification means shown in the several figures comprises a snap-on cap or cover envelope 20 which is made of flexible stretchable material,- such as natural or synthetic rubber or rubber-like synthetic substance. In accordance with the invention the elastomeric properties of the cap are such that it will be stretched to approximately double its size, to permit the use of the same standard-sized cap as a cover for key handles differing in size. The cap 20 includes 'two parallel flat sides or wall disks 21 which are connected to each other along their periphery so as to leave a bottom opening 22 for insertion of the handle part of a key. A lateral projection 30 is provided on the rim of the cover and extends axially in direction opposite to that of a key inserted in the cover. The sides preferably have the outline of circular surfaces cut along a chord. The projection 30 is perforated to form a hole 31. The edge of the insertion opening 22. is strengthened by a bead 24 which extends round it. The edge of the hole 31 is also beaded. The external side of one wall'disk 21 preferably is provided with a mark such as a numeral, lettering, or symbols such as triangles etc. This mark is embossed, but could also berecessed or printed on the cap. The same mark could be applied to the front and to the back of the cap. I

The described identification means is stretched over the handle of a key 27, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5. To this effect the handle of the key 217 is pushed through the insertion opening 22 of the cap 20. It is thus possible to have a chain etc. threaded through the hole 31 or to hang the identification cap up with the key 27 inserted therein.

The numeral on the cap 20 permits easily distinguishing the key 27 from similar keys likewise provided with such identification means, it being of course understood that each of the identification means bears a different numeral.

" In order to facilitate the distinction of different keys with similar identification means, the latter preferably are made of contrasting colors, the paint being embedded in the material of the cap.

The marks or lettering may be provided with a color luminescent in thedark, or only with a color to easily distinguish the keys from each other by night. As analternative external areas of the cap 20 are provided with a coating luminescent in the dark or the whole identification means consist of a material luminescent by night.

This projection 30 projects from the rim of the cap in the axis of the key and consists of the same material as the cap 20 and permits hanging up the key cover with the key therein. A head 3-2 extends round the edge of the hole 31.

One wall disk or face side 21 preferably has means to hold exchangeable designation plate and has to that effect, at its outside, a frame 35 formed by embossed ribs. Moreover, the face side 21 possesses two pockets 34 laterally adjoining the grooves and into which the ends of the strip-like designation plate 33 may be inserted.

According to Fig. 6, there is also provided a protective cover 36 made of transparent material into which the designation strip 33 can be inserted. With strip 33 and cover 36 applied to the cap 20, the cover lies within the frame 35 so that strip 33 and cover 36 are protected. Fig. 3 shows a front view of the cap 20 provided with a designation strip 33 and protective cover 36 as fitted to the handle of a key 37. Obviously, the designation strip 33 may be changed as required and be lettered by the user of the identification means himself.

' 2,932,107 Patented 'Ap'r. I 2-, '1960 Fig. illustrates identification means according to the invention, in which the cap 20 is provided on jtsperiphery with at least one lateral cam-like projection 85 integral with the cap 20. Said at least one projection 85 serves as a feeder for key recognition for instance, by feeling with one finger, to make it possible to recognize by touchthe different keys. One or more than one lateral projections 85 may be cut on the cover at different points, in order to obtain an identification means for a plurality.

of keys. In this way a plurality of differently spaced, feelable signs are available for key identification.

A modification shown in Figure 5 has a suspension lobe 30, on which there is provided a cam-like projection 85 for key identification by touch.

An essential advantage of the invention resides in the fact that the identification means are well connected to their keys, require little space and do not dangle down beside the keys when hung up. The keys provided with the disclosed identification means are handler than keys with tags made in several parts and tag-holders of the design hitherto used.

It is intended that the present specification covers all changes and modifications of the embodiments shown and combinations thereof, which do not depart from the spirittand scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim is: V

1. A key-identification means, and receiving means comprising a resilient removable snap-on cover-envelope for at least the handle part of. a key, and a plurality of projections on the rim of said cover radially extending in the plane of said cover and integral therewith at least one of said projections serving purposes of identification and one other projection serving key-attaching purposes. 2. A key-identification means as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cover includes an outer window-pocket, adjacent to a side of said cover, with means for insertion of variable visual identification of said key inserted in said cover. a

. 3. A key-identification and receiving means comprising a resilient snap-on cover envelope with a bottom;

opening for insertion of the handle-part of a key; an outer window pocket, adjacent to a side of said cover with means for insertion of a plate for visual identification of a key inserted in said cover; a lateral projection on the rim of said cover axially extending in direction opposite;

to that of a key inserted in said cover, and means on said lateral projection for key keeping purposes.

4. Means for identification of keys having heads of various sizes and for filing of said keys in an Organized assembly such, as a filing cabinet, comprising a key-cover made of material having high resilient properties, includ- 1 1.8 a fir t n at least one e on pocke said first P cket having a resilient orifice for insertion of the head of a key therethrough into said first pocket, said at least one second pocket having a window and an orifice for insertion of a key identification means therethrough into said second pocket for visual observation of said identification means.

5. A key identification means as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first and the said at least one second pocket form a single integral body said pockets having a common dividing wall.

6. A key identification means as claimed in claim 4, wherein the said first and said at least one second pocket are arranged in parallel planes.

7. A key identification means as claimed in claim 4, wherein said cover includes a rim extension in the plane of its said first pocket and means on said rim extension for insertion and removal of said key with said key cover fitted over it into and from a key assembly respectively.

8. A key identification means as claimed in claim 4, wherein said cover comprises at least one rim extension protruding radially in the plane of said first pocket for purposes ofjkey identification.

' 9.' A key identification means as claimed in claim 4, wherein said first and said at least one second pocket are in parallel with a common dividing wall and form an integral: body, wherein said first pocket has a rim extensjion in the Plane thereof, comprising means for insertion References Cited in the .file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,322,815 Patterson Nov. 25, 1919 1,485,528 Ralston Mar. 4, 1924 1,718,236 James June 25, 1929 1,868,563 Cicourel July 26, 1932 1,897,861 Quay Feb. 14, 1933 2,138,309 Stevenson Nov. 29, 1938 2,349,745 7 Morris May 23, 1944 2,781,594 Stupell Feb. 19, 1957 'y FOREIGN PATENTS 76,347 Denmark Aug. 24, 1953 7226.755. Germany Mar. 2, 1917 1,961,552, France Nov. 25, 1953 

